Musician Richie Havens dies at 72

Folk musician Richie Havens has died of a heart attack at 72 years old. Havens performed at Woodstock and is known for the Billboard Top 100 song “Here Comes the Sun.”(Photo by Neilson Barnard / Getty Images)

Richie Havens’ passing on Earth Day is prophetic, reminding us of the importance anthems have had on social movements [“Musician Richie Havens hit high notes of turbulent ’60s,” News, April 23].His concern for the state of the world radiated from him in a way that could not help but inspire. Too bad there are not songs reminding the public what is at stake in this still-green corner of the country, given the number of great musicians residing here.

This is especially true as an unprecedented cavalcade of coal, tar sands and shale-oil export proposals utilizing Northwest railways and waterways are advanced. These filthy fuels will wreak havoc on our climate if we continue to subsidize their combustion. Time to sing “Here Comes the Sun” like Mr. Havens did — like it meant something.

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